Apparently, Clarkson's considering quitting Top Gear

Unnamed source says the star might leave the BBC even if he's cleared of punch-throwing allegations.

Well, this was bound to happen: In the ever-hastening rumor machine swirling around alleged hangry punch-thrower Jeremy Clarkson, now someone claiming to be close to the loudmouthed host says he's considering quitting the show, and the BBC, altogether.

As Radio Times explains, someone close to Clarkson says that the host's feelings toward the BBC are so ruined that he may walk away from the organization no matter what the outcome of the current investigation.

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"[Clarkson's] relationship with key BBC executives has sunk so low that he is considering quitting the corporation, even if he is cleared of the disciplinary charge against him," Radio Times alleges.

A source who claims to be close to Clarkson told Radio Times, "Can I see him going back to film another BBC series? I don't think so. But he'll be fine. The other broadcasters will bite his arm off."

The British outlet, sort of a UK version of the TV Guide, says that Clarkson has told friends he did not punch Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon, as has been alleged, though the host seems to have admitted to friends that there had been some "handbags and pushing" at the time. The whole fracas is said to have stemmed from Clarkson being angered that there wasn't a meal ready for him after a day of shooting a Top Gear segment.

Meanwhile, a Change.org petition titled "BBC: BRING BACK CLARKSON" has gathered more than half a million supporters at time of writing. Undeterred, the BBC has not announced any conclusions to the internal investigation into the incident. As of right now, the remaining three episodes of the current Top Gear season will not air, since live segments cannot be filmed while Clarkson is suspended.